People That Shouldn't Have Dogs

Nargle

What about this?

Paranoid People
If you want a dog to guard your property or fight off muggers, prepare to be disappointed. Not only will most dogs happily assist a burglar in carrying away your valuables, but if your dog actually DOES bite someone, you can get hit with lawsuits and have your dog seized and euthanized. Dogs were meant to be protected by us humans, not the other way around. Instead, try a home security system or a taser.

Independent George

It's funny, but in my case, getting a dog turned me into a neat freak. Well, maybe not a total neat freak, but having a dog around has forced me to vacuum daily, and put away all my clothes immediately, and not leave random little items all over the house.

That said, I'm also a workaholic (but work from home 1-2x/week) tightwad (who happily makes an exception for the World's Greatest Dog).

deege39

I agree with Nargle... I know of a woman who has two trained guard dogs. They're trained to kill. No joke. Her friends and family are allowed to look but not touch. Seriously.

Of course, it was something very traumatizing that happened to her, now she has a case full of guns, a house full of dogs, and then two monsters of dogs trained to kill.

I think it would nice to have a guard dog, and by that I mean have a dog trained to alert me when there's an intruder, do so quietly, but not trained to kill... That's just... Too extreme, and too much "paranoia" for me to handle.

It's unhealthy... Instead of seeking professional help, people seek the help of -animals-, although at times they're therapeutic, by no means should they replace the security of dead bolts and alarm systems.

TxRider

+1

As a single guy, with the stereotypes applying fully, my dogs definately keep me on my toes to keep the house picked up and neat.

But I also chose my home (all tile floors), rugs (low cost replaceable) and such with a dog lifestyle in mind. How someone could stand a couple of shedding GSD's with a house full of carpet I cannot even imagine.

PeanutAndOmar

If I end up putting Omar down, I may get a guard type dog. Kill no, but maim, hold, and subdue--absolutely.

Dead bolts and alarms don't protect you in the park. Or your car. And not always in the home. As a victim of a violent crime, I can totally understand your friend. Granted, I don't have guns. I have the sissiest, SA basset hound you can find who would love a rapist to death, and I go to therapy. But I am still paranoid. I carry mace. I am on wait to be approved for a taser. I have taken self defense classes, and have 3 locks on each door, and a chain. I live exclusively in locked, protected buildings.

If you haven't been thru a violent crime, it is hard to understand how much it changes you. I do therapy. I'm doing great, but I doubt I'll ever not be scared, and a little paranoid, again. ;-)

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nico8

I would never get a dog for the sole purpose of protection , but I love having Nico around to at least alert me that someone is close. Whether it's the pizza guy at the front door or various animals when we go on night hikes, it gives me great peace of mind to know that she can sense people/animals/ danger way before I can. Once I'm alerted I feel confident that I can protect myself and my dog.

Elana55

I cannot imagine the horror of going thru an attack by another human being. I am always on high alert about this and I like to "carry" my German Shepherd with me when I go places. Most "bad guys" see you with a German Shepherd and go find an easier victim.

What I truly wish is that there were no warped humans out there with intent to do harm to others for any reason (twisted minds, drug money etc.).

deege39

I've been through a few things myself; fortunately for me they're just memories now; It's not something I have to live with every day like some. I'm not judging the people who have dogs that are trained to "kill", I'm pitying them... It's sad that they've had to come to a point in their life where they'd sooner feel safe with a dog that can kill then just trusting you'll be safe... (If that makes any sense.)

I can understand your point about the parks and public places; But I can never see myself getting a dog trained to attack... I just can't, granted, I do want a vicious looking Pit-Bull someday, lol , just for the reasons others have German Shepherds. I just can't live my life everyday paranoid about what could happen to me... I'm not saying it's unnecessary to be cautious, and to be alert; I take my own precautions, pepper-spray, I'm always home before dusk, and I don't meet men from dating sites.

But, with concern that I'm straying off-topic; I don't think people who view dogs as a "collector's item", should be an owner... Those that have obviously have too many dogs to handle and are always asking other people to groom them or watch them, should obviously make some changes in their life... I am being vague, I know.

croll326

I like this post but I think it is unfair for someone to say that people who work all day shouldn't have a dog. I agree that if you work 12-14 hours a day 6-7 days a week than fine - no dog for you. However, MOST Americans work 40-50 hours a week every week unless they are independently weathy which I am not. Does this mean they shouldn't have a dog? No way. My wife and I work 8am-5pm and go to the gym until 6:30pm. I take the dog for a 1 mile walk/run at 6am and feed him early so he is able to poo before we leave. I then have my mom let him out at 1:30pm and play with him for a little. When we get home at night we spend about an hour a night training him. We are amateur dog owners but have been complimented on how well behaved he is. He eats twice a day 12 hours apart and has water while we are gone - we let him roam the house. We also take him anywhere and everywhere we can to socialize him with people, animals, sights, sounds and anything we can. We go to the dog park as much as we can to.

I feed him a grain free kibble that I rotate.

So we do work a good bit, and as newlyweds and new home owners money is a little tight but I do not skimp on anything for our dog. I do all I can to not feed myself crappy food and work out 4 days a week so why would I feed crappy for to my dog?

He is a happy pooch - I promise.

Taz Monkey

Totally agree. If only independently wealthy people, or people who had the luxury of working from were able to get dogs, there would be a lot more dogs in shelters. I have always worked 40-50 hours a week. I managed to raise 2 puppies and I have 3 dogs. Would it be easier if I was at home all the time? Sure it would. But I do have to work to afford to feed my pets. Dog food isn't free.

moots

So what the OP is saying is basically you have to be a stay-at-home mom with plenty of time and a hubby that earns enough money to make any finanical issues non-existent so you don't have to worry about being able to afford paying for un-expected vet bills.

nico8

Sign me up for that job.

poodleholic

Well, here's the deal. If we all waited until things/life were ideal, we'd never have children, get a dog, buy a house, etc., etc., cuz there's always something!

I work full time, live alone, and as a social worker, I may make a difference, but I don't make a lot of money! Money is always tight, but I've always managed to get my vet to do whatever needing doing, and take payments when necessary (for a good 45 yrs., now). I also have a clean house, though I wouldn's call myself a neat freak, and it smells clean and fresh. To be fair, that's probably because I've got 3 Standard Poodles, who never smell doggy, even when wet from the rain, and the Tzu smells pretty good, too. So does the cat. No dog hair all over, no cat hair (thank you EQyss), and they don't make a mess, they actually help do chores around the house and put their toys away. They ARE neat creatures, not disturbing a thing in the house, from stuff on the coffee table to the pillows on the sofa.

I wanted a puppy, so I made that work both times in the last 8 years. Took my puppies to work with me, and if that wouldn't have panned out, I would have found another way. Always have, always will. And NEVER has one of my dogs or cats gone to a shelter. I commit for LIFE, no matter what.

lizziedog1

Croll 326

I agree with your statement. We all have to work, unfortuantely. Yes, as you pointed out, there is limit to this. There are the 70 to 80 hour a week workers that also have Johnnies soccer games and Lori's swimming meets, and so on.

People with limited time should not be excluded from dog ownership on that basis alone. But, you all must agree that the more time available to the dog the better, espically puppies and certain high-strung breeds.

My Dog Bishop

I'd like to suggest that a workaholic is not someone who has a full time job. When I think of a workaholic, sure I think of someone who works long hours, but more than that I think of someone who leaves the office and comes home, only to work some more. It would be the same thing with someone who works a normal work day and comes home, only to spend 6 hours surfing the internet instead of spending time playing with your dog.

I think you can be a neatfreak and still own a dog. Now, if you're a germaphobic, that may be a different story!

lizziedog1

I think part of this would also depend on the breed and activities. If a lab owner goes duck hunting he better not be too picky. A Chihuahua owner can probably keep a tidy house very easily. Again, people would do well to research breeds and pick the right one.

Rottieluv

There is nothing wrong with havin that many cats if you can take care of them. You better believe when I get a house and we can afford it i'm going to have atleast 5 cats and 3 dogs.

I think people that want a dog just to have a dog and feel like putting the time and money into it don't need dogs. Also people that "love" their dogs so much that they only give them people food (I mean sweets and stuff like that) and let them get fat shouldn't have dogs. That would be my mother and soon to be mother in law. My mom's beagle should be about 25lb he's almost 50 lb. And my soon to be MIL only feeds her dog hot dogs, icecream, and milk.

Hallie

It's not as easy as it seems!

Purley

I had a post on here, asking how long were people on the board gone during the daytime, and what happened to their dogs. Every single person who answered said they went to work all day and either came home at lunch time for an hour or had someone else come in and let the dog out. I am pretty sure that all the people who answered were responsible dog owners.

In a perfect world, we would none of us have to work -- money would grow on trees and we could all stay home 24/7 with our dogs. But this is 2009 and the majority of people, single or couples - have to go to work.

Whether your dog is in a crate or roaming around the house while you are at work, that is the reality for most of us nowadays. As someone else said, if you could not have a dog unless you didn't work and had plenty of money - there would be very few of us who would have a dog.

My son works two day shifts and then two night shifts and then has four days off. So, at the moment the puppy is five months old and he comes to my house. He could easily stay home in his crate and I could go over there and let him out at noon. But seeing I am retired now, he might as well come here. When my son works the night shift, the dog could stay in his crate and I could go over there and let him out at 11pm and put him back in his crate. But again, he might as well come here. It saves me driving to my son's.

Then he has four whole days when my son is home. That sounds like a perfectly fine arrangement for a dog owner to me.

Everyone has their own variations, but I do agree that while its just the OP's opinion, there have to be many more reasons for not having a dog than that you are a workaholic, a neat freak or cheap. My next door neighbours got their huge dog because a friend of their son's couldn't keep it. They stuck the dog in the backyard 24/7 and slapped a bowl of food on the step a couple of times a day. That is a good reason not to have a dog!

tecjunkie

I agree with the last 2 sentences in that story. If you are able to properly care for an animal rather dog, cat, fish, etc, make sure as a responsible pet owner that the animal is not put in the back yard all the time and left with a bucket of food all the time and no interaction with humans.

I adopted two chocolate labs mixed from owners when I purchased my first home in 2007 and the dogs were left in the backyard neglected all the time. The dogs ate their food from a box and had a beaten up rubber dish where their water was filthy. When I rescued the dogs, I upgraded their food dishes, purchased good quality food for them (after gradually switching them from Purina) and gave good doggy baths regularly. I also did investigation with the vets they went to. These girls have not been given their shots in 2 years! I was angry about this. I got their shots and took them to a vet who was good with rescues and he gave me guidance for the ladies.

After patience and extensive training, playing and feedings, I moved them into the house gradually. They enjoyed staying in the house on their matts better than sleeping in their dog houses outside. I spent a lot of money and time on getting them to interact with other dogs and humans. They got into the role of interaction and now enjoy being around other humans. (I found out after adopting them that they were abused as puppies, these are also the types of sickos who should never have dogs.) They are joined to the hip, follow each other everywhere, will not go anywhere without each other. But the story is good, but there are many other dogs out there with no happy endings. They are in shelters or some of the horror stories that I've seen on TV that make me angry. I do not like to hear of animal abuse in no way shape or form. I don't think this post should be labeled "People That shouldn't have dogs", rather Things to consider prior to owning a pet. This is more open and allows for more information to be widespread with more positive responses.

I now had to move (due to job loss) and had to give my lab babies for adoption to a friend of mine on a farm. They are happy and again, joined at the hip and do not go anywhere without each other. They are happy for now, however, when I went to visit them, they tried to get into my car thinking we were going back. I wish I could take them back, but my current living condition would not allow me to. The apartments I live in are too small for both of them to stay in and too expensive (Pet deposit $750 per dog because of size). So being disgruntled about this city I moved to, I am currently the owner of 2 small breed dogs and I left my other babies with their new owner. They are happy now, and so am I.

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